Ukraine Leader Resists EU Pressure Over Jailed Opponent

But This Might Jeopardize Signing of a Trade Deal in November

By

Katya Gorchinskaya And

James Marson

Sept. 20, 2013 12:41 p.m. ET

YALTA, Ukraine—President Viktor Yanukovych showed no sign Friday of giving in to pressure to free his main political opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, whose imprisonment European leaders say is jeopardizing a trade deal he wants to sign with the European Union in November.

Speaking at a conference here, Mr. Yanukovych said he wants to sign the deal,...